April 14, 2012

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WACO - Baylor equestrian's Hunter Seat team took home its first national championship, with a thrilling victory over Texas A&M that came down to a 1192-1070 win on points after a 4-4 tie at the National Collegiate Equestrian Association Championship at Extraco Events Center in Waco. The victory also ensured a third place finish overall, the highest finish in program history.

"I can't describe this feeling we have right now," head coach Ellen White said. "All I asked was that we go 3-0, and this team stepped up as a whole and accomplished it. This is a special group of young women that just wanted so badly to be successful that they wouldn't be denied."

The Bears battled the Aggies to a 2-2 tie in Flat, as BU scored the first and final points during the discipline. Taylor Brown totaled a 138 and Kim Woodsum added a 136 for Baylor.

Texas A&M took a brief 3-2 lead in Fences before Taylor Brown evened it up with a high score of 174. The Aggies took the lead back before Samantha Schaefer took to her horse for the final ride. After TAMU had scored a zero in Flat, Schaefer needed to beat a 165 for the tie and title. The freshman rode beautifully en route to a 173 and a BU national title.

"I am so proud of the team," Schaefer said. "I knew I had a good score to beat, but I was confident in my ability to do it."

Schaefer earned Most Valuable Rider over Fences after going 3-0 and averaging the highest score throughout the championship.

Texas A&M took home the Western and Overall National Championships after finishing as runner-ups in Hunter Seat.